Kodachrome Basin State Park, Utah

In 1997, I had planned a road trip down this way, and in one day
I would visit Cedar Breaks, Bryce Canyon, all of Route-12 and part
of Capital Reef. In a day. Dumb. At one time, Kodachrome Basin
was on my 1997 trip list, but was scratched due to time constraints.
No kidding.

I've become a much better planner since then. :-)

In my 2008 return to the area, I would take two days to do only Route-12
and the attractions on it. That included a stop in Kodachrome Basin,
one of five Utah State Parks I would visit that year.

The park is near the city of Cannonville, where it is said the residents
referred to the city as Gun Shot, since it was too small to qualify as a
cannon. I cannot confirm nor deny this fact...
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Kodachrome Basin State Park

This map was downloaded from the NPS site.

In the September 1949 issue of National Geographic, they featured this
area, giving it the name "Kodachrome Flat", named after the new slide
film they used. When the area became a state park in 1962, Utah renamed
the place "Chimney Rock State Park", fearing Kodak would object to the
use of the name, however, Kodak gave their permission, and the park was
renamed, "Kodachrome Basin State Park", the only park to be named
after the slide film.

It's interesting to note that the park has now outlived the slide film,
and will possibly outlive Kodak itself.
I'll bet the next generation will grow up without even knowing the
origin of the park's name, even though there's a Paul Simon tune
with the same name.

Oh, and if I ever put together that "Dirty Mother Nature" page, a couple of
formations here will definitely make the list...
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Cottonwood Road is the access road from Utah-12 to the Park. On the maps,
this road cuts all the way across Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument,
emerging onto US-89 on the South side of the monument, but I would definitely
check road conditions before doing the drive.

Kodachrome Basin was a nice surprise of a park, very picturesque, which some amazing
rock formations. It's pretty much in the middle of nowhere, and there isn't even
any cell phone service. But I do think it's a must stop if you're touring Utah-12...

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Utah State Route 12 (also named as the
"Journey Through Time Byway") is my favorite road in America.

The 124 mile road starts at a unnamed junction with US-89 and ends in
Torrey, Utah, pretty much connecting Bryce Canyon to Capitol Reef
National Park. In-between are a couple of those spectacular Utah
State Parks, a National Monument and some jaw-dropping landscapes
just off the side of the road.